diff --git a/uiterm/tree.go b/uiterm/tree.go
index b44ddf3..5944355 100644
--- a/uiterm/tree.go
+++ b/uiterm/tree.go
@@ -206,6 +206,9 @@ func (t *Tree) ActiveItem() TreeItem {
 }
 
 func (t *Tree) uiKeyEvent(key Key) {
+	if len(t.lines) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
 	var runHandler = true
 	switch key {
 	case KeyArrowUp:
@@ -222,6 +225,9 @@ func (t *Tree) uiKeyEvent(key Key) {
 }
 
 func (t *Tree) uiCharacterEvent(ch rune) {
+	if len(t.lines) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
 	if t.CharacterListener != nil {
 		t.CharacterListener(t.ui, t, t.lines[t.activeLine].Item, ch)
 	}